Directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali (Fat Ham), this story of the legendary artists who recorded the album features the soul-stirring music of Cuba’s golden age, with a book by Marco Ramirez (Drama Desk Award winner, The Royale), choreography by Patricia Delgado and Tony Award winner Justin Peck (Carousel, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) and a music team led by Tony Award winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit).
While some critics argue that the narrative of the musical’s book lacks a bit of depth and the staging may seem a bit choppy, these elements provide an important contour and context to the overall concert-like experience. The book beautifully uses the recording sessions of the original album as its framework, introducing audiences to a group of veteran musicians who have gathered to create a masterpiece of “songs from the old days.”
But when the staging, singing and playing come together, whether in exuberance or sorrow, I was happily reminded of another musical about music that originated at the Atlantic: “The Band’s Visit.” (David Yazbek, that show’s songwriter, is credited here as a creative consultant.) In such moments — the hypnotic “Chan Chan,” the ear-wormy “El Cuarto de Tula,” the heartbroken “Veinte Años,” the gorgeous “Drume Negrita” — you really do feel the past harmonizing with the present. What Compay says is true: “Old songs kick up old feelings.” Even, as in the showstopping and, yes, scorching “Candela,” with a flute.
2023 | Off-Broadway |
Atlantic Theater Company World Premiere Production Off-Broadway |
2025 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical | Dede Ayite |
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Natalie Venetia Belcon |
2024 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Marco Paguia |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Saheem Ali |
2024 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Musical | Buena Vista Social Club |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreography (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Patricia Delgado |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical | Buena Vista Social Club |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Marco Paguia |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Choreographer | Patricia Delgado |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Costume Design | Dede Ayite |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical | Mel Semé |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical | Natalie Venetia Belcon |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Musical | Buena Vista Social Club |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Scenic Design | Arnulfo Maldonado |
2024 | The Lortels | Outstanding Sound Design | Jonathan Deans |
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